STAR or iCarsoft MB xx

[V6Matty]

So I'm considering what to buy as a diagnostic tool but at the moment I'm not sure what is going to e best. I can get a second hand iCarsoft MBII for a good price which seems will do most of what I want or do I spend that little more and get a copy of STAR?
If I go the STAR route I have a CF19 it will happily go on so no problem there, but the initial investment certainly is higher and I'm really not sure where it would be best to source it from.

So if you were me what would you go for and where from?

 

[John Laidlaw]

Tough one Matt- really depends on the level of detail and functionality you want.
I have the icarsoft and in the main it’s just there for me to do mild analytic stuff, minor adjustments. I don’t have a car which should need much fettling nor have weekly issues (different when I had the SL), therefore it’s there for me to see what’s wrong before and if I ever take the car in for MB Warranty work.
I also have offerened up to extend this locally on the Wirral area but so far no takers (even got a 38 pin Adapter just in case). I guess then it’s also what you’d want it for in the future- are you liable to tinker with an older/ill treated car or offer out to others ?
Your current car is also relatively new so I wouldn’t expect many issues in general.
So I’ve not voted yet as I’m not sure why you want it basically?
(I’m also a bit nervous of clone Star copies...)

 

[LostKiwi]

Given your ability and knowledge I'd go for STAR. The only thing being it generally has to run on prescribed hardware (usually Dell or IBM laptops) though I'm sure you have the ability to make it run on a CF19 (might look at that myself...)
STAR is usually sourced from one of the Chinese clone distributors.

 

[AnthonyUK]

Given your ability and knowledge I'd go for STAR. The only thing being it generally has to run on prescribed hardware (usually Dell or IBM laptops) though I'm sure you have the ability to make it run on a CF19 (might look at that myself...)
STAR is usually sourced from one of the Chinese clone distributors.

It appears to run OK in VMWare workstation too.

 

[curious]

Given your ability and knowledge I'd go for STAR. The only thing being it generally has to run on prescribed hardware (usually Dell or IBM laptops) though I'm sure you have the ability to make it run on a CF19 (might look at that myself...)
STAR is usually sourced from one of the Chinese clone distributors.

The hardware issue is the laptop needs to have a native serial port to connect the multplexor.

Most of the 'Chinese copy' STARs (hardware) are actually the real thing that have come off the same production line as the ones sold to Mercedes.
I've taken mine down to Malcolm when I had a small issue in the past and pulling both his and mine apart there was no way someone had gone to that effort and quality for what is a very small market in clones. They were identical to a 'genuine' STAR.
If you're a Chinese businessman with a factory producing these for Mercedes, don't be suprised if a few more are produced and released into a different retail network.
The software is one installation, VMWare'd onto idential USB hard drives. Copied!

 

[LostKiwi]

The hardware issue is the laptop needs to have a native serial port to connect the multplexor.

Most of the 'Chinese copy' STARs (hardware) are actually the real thing that have come off the same production line as the ones sold to Mercedes.
I've taken mine down to Malcolm when I had a small issue in the past and pulling both his and mine apart there was no way someone had gone to that effort and quality for what is a very small market in clones. They were identical to a 'genuine' STAR.
If you're a Chinese businessman with a factory producing these for Mercedes, don't be suprised if a few more are produced and released into a different retail network.
The software is one installation, VMWare'd onto idential USB hard drives. Copied!

I thought Malcolms was a clone too?

 

[curious]

I thought Malcolms was a clone too?

It was, but we've also pulled apart a 'genuine' one. Juggle them about and you couldn't tell the difference.

 

[John Laidlaw]

It was, but we've also pulled apart a 'genuine' one. Juggle them about and you couldn't tell the difference.

My worry isn’t the original factory ‘unbranded’ ones, it’s in typical fashion which we’ve seen time and time again,the clones of the clones of the clones...icarsoft seems plagued by this issue if what we’ve seen even on this forum is typical.... can imagine there will be good and bad Star lookalikes out there

 

[AnthonyUK]

My worry isn’t the original factory ‘unbranded’ ones, it’s in typical fashion which we’ve seen time and time again,the clones of the clones of the clones...icarsoft seems plagued by this issue if what we’ve seen even on this forum is typical.... can imagine there will be good and bad Star lookalikes out there

It is a simple multiplexer and in this instance a rudimentary one working at very low bitrates. It will pretty much work or not.

 

[John Laidlaw]

It is a simple multiplexer and in this instance a rudimentary one working at very low bitrates. It will pretty much work or not.

I will pretend to know what that means- I can barely turn on an iphone to be honest

 

[AnthonyUK]

I will pretend to know what that means- I can barely turn on an iphone to be honest

- Basically these are using tech from 80's/90's era so nothing too complex compared to modern PCBs.

 

[Submariner1]

Just tried out my new iCarsoft MBV2 on the A Class it was very limited on the A Class. Sevan Motors, who specialise in A Classes said its not very good with the A Class Cars.
E.g. looked at AC ... nada!
Cant see door Sams etc. Seems like a 1/10 of what can be seen on the CL500
Cant see heated door mirror pads on the A Class but it can on the CL500.

For me Its just a precursor info tool, before taking it in to be fixed, and to check if I have an issue. So its fine for my level.
You also cant damage the engine with the icarsoft, as you could if you had STAr and didnt know what you are doing.

I thought Star was about £400 not the £145 icarsoft price level.

If its of interest to others, there doesnt seem to be much of an upgrade between the MBII and the MBV2
Perhaps a bit more explanation of using it to deactivate the EPB. But even that is pretty ambiguous wording!
The manual is a sheet of folder paper not a booklet, so thats not friendly. But its a bit more detailed on explanations how to use.
Does more regarding Batteries and condition.

A seperate OK button, that might last slightly longer than the central OK button on the MBII.

Lets say I wouldnt rush out to upgrade it!

 

[LostKiwi]

Seems like a 1/10 of what can be seen on the CL500

Probably due at least in part to the simple fact it has 1/10th of the electronics!

 

[V6Matty]

Thanks for the replies so far all, very interesting to hear all the thoughts.

So main reason for purchase is for general tinkering and looking into things if anything is going a little funky, going to be for both the 169 and the 212 so lots of little bits I would like to do on both. I know the 212 is pretty new and very well maintained but being able to really delve into it will make a difference so I am leaning towards STAR but the iCarsoft is a good bit of kit hence me thinking it will do at least some of what I want.

 

[V6Matty]

The hardware issue is the laptop needs to have a native serial port to connect the multplexor.

the CF19 has a native serial port, it's why it has been the choice of many garages for year, rugged and works well

 

[LostKiwi]

As you may be aware Matty I have an i980 and Star and CarSoft 7.4 diags.
The latter is good for the older round plugs and is pretty much all it gets used for. It lives in the 210 90% of the time.
The i980 is great for carrying in the car. Small enough not to take up space and useful enough to give an idea of what's going on but... In the 230 I prefer to have full diags available as it's such a complex beast. STAR is therefore usually carried in the 230. The only issue then is the space it takes up (230s aren't overly generous in luggage space!).
At some point I'll upgrade the 980 to an MB2 to carry in the 230 instead of Star to get around this but STAR will always be my main diagnostic tool as
1. You can test every system and if you can't you know for sure it's a car fault.
2. The codes can be 100% relied on. MB2 and i980 periodically throw questionable codes or codes that are 'not found in database'.
3. Star can test/actuate components. For example you can activate headlight washers from Star if there is a need to test them.
4. Star can change parameters. For example the default behaviour on our Smart was to put the gearbox in A (auto) mode on engine start. My preference in to use the box manually and I used Star to change the default start mode.
5. Star includes step by step diagnosis procedures and integrates to WIS for further detail.

As a diagnostic tool the MB2 is good for portable use, where you don't want to be able to mess up your vehicle or for a quick check and for basic maintenance.

 

[Submariner1]

Probably due at least in part to the simple fact it has 1/10th of the electronics!

Very true, and I was also told there is not the diagnostics support within the A Class car even if there is electronics in a given area. So no critisism of the MBV2.

 

[AnthonyUK]

As a diagnostic tool the MB2 is good for portable use, where you don't want to be able to mess up your vehicle or for a quick check and for basic maintenance.

When I looked, there wasn't enough of a difference between the MBII and the i980 to warrant the price. I think it only offered the ability to reset the oil service in addition to the i980 on the w203.
The MB v2.0 does offer more depending on the vehicle but it is worth checking the coverage lists e.g. - https://www.scantool-direct.co.uk/user/new icarsoft tools/MB V2.0_Benz_V01.05 Fuction List.pdf

 

[John Laidlaw]

^ never buy from a diagnostic company who can’t spell ‘function’

 

[curious]

As you may be aware Matty I have an i980 and Star and CarSoft 7.4 diags.
The latter is good for the older round plugs and is pretty much all it gets used for. It lives in the 210 90% of the time.
The i980 is great for carrying in the car. Small enough not to take up space and useful enough to give an idea of what's going on but... In the 230 I prefer to have full diags available as it's such a complex beast. STAR is therefore usually carried in the 230. The only issue then is the space it takes up (230s aren't overly generous in luggage space!).
At some point I'll upgrade the 980 to an MB2 to carry in the 230 instead of Star to get around this but STAR will always be my main diagnostic tool as
1. You can test every system and if you can't you know for sure it's a car fault.
2. The codes can be 100% relied on. MB2 and i980 periodically throw questionable codes or codes that are 'not found in database'.
3. Star can test/actuate components. For example you can activate headlight washers from Star if there is a need to test them.
4. Star can change parameters. For example the default behaviour on our Smart was to put the gearbox in A (auto) mode on engine start. My preference in to use the box manually and I used Star to change the default start mode.
5. Star includes step by step diagnosis procedures and integrates to WIS for further detail.

As a diagnostic tool the MB2 is good for portable use, where you don't want to be able to mess up your vehicle or for a quick check and for basic maintenance.

6. You can reflash the software in the ECUs when it all goes a bit weird.

(More than paid for itself with one instance of that alone. MB only wanted to sell me a new ECU at £BIG + £fitting.)